Tayri n Tudert

You asked for personal experiences... So here's ours:
My Fiance is from the Dominican Republic (High Fraud). While waiting for our K-1 to be approved my Fiance applied for a Tourist Visa.
Like you he is not working, not in school full-time and does not have strong ties to his home country. He owns a vehicle but that's about it.
I wrote and signed a Notarized letter beautifully explaining that we understood it would be FRAUDULENT if he stayed or married, and would ruin our chances at his later legally immigrating on our K-1!
I sent along Pay Stubs, etc and promised that I would be responsible for his entering and leaving and all financial needs while here, that we just wanted to be able to plan our wedding like regular couples... and he brought all his paperwork per the application.
The application fee was about $160 USD and the Consulate Officer at the window looked at EXACTLY NONE of the things he brought and rejected the visa in less than 2 minutes. They were only interested in proof of compelling reasons for him to return.... Basically things that would cause financial loss if he did not return. Since he had none, they had no interest in considering anything else.
Several months later our visa petition was approved for our K-1 Visa though!! And we were approved at our interview 3 months after that... and now we are in AP and waiting for our Visa to be issued.

It sucks but here is the simplest way I can explain it is:

Tourist Visa = "I have NO INTENTION to stay in the US"
K-1, CR-1 Visa, etc. = "I have NO INTENTION TO LEAVE the US"

It's not impossible but in this case and cases like it, it is highly improbable.... you already told them you want to stay.

I sincerely wish you and your Wife, the best in your Journey but the best advice is as suggested by someone previously.. Find hobbies, find a temporary job or volunteer, find ways to cope with the absence and separation... Time and distance and expensive phone bills, etc aren't fun and pretty much everyone here DOES understand your pain... and we are ALL in a similar situation in respect to waiting and hoping and missing our chosen Loves, even if we see them more often, it still is gut-wrenching to leave them over and over, it never gets easier.... in fact I think it gets harder to voluntarily separate again... Somedays I laugh thinking that once he is here we will not ever be more than 10 feet apart!

Not to be rude, but your chances of getting a tourist visa are very slim. You probably would have a better chance of visiting the moon If I were you I would take advantage of your free time now and prepare for that special day....the interview. Many folks here can tell you, including myself, that the Moroccan Consulate is a tough one.

Okay ZEGRAY, I mean dude, ease up on the sense of humor, it was a joke about how expensive immigration is to be with your spouse.

I read and reread this post trying to think of what to say and I'm just at a loss as I always am, but I don't think it's really about what what you say in these situations I think it's more about listening. But regardless of my lack of eloquence, I'm really sorry that you're going through this. I actually work on an Oncology floor so I see many people, young and old, going through the same battle... many of which have chosen different paths to fight this battle, whether its chemo, radiation, surgery, or nothing. My only words of wisdom that I have learned from the many different people I've encountered is don't let the cancer consume you. Do your research, learn about your options, find a support group of survivors/ people battling, and keep striving to achieve your goals even if you are achieving them much slower and it's much, much harder.I really hope that your fiance will be able to join you soon and you can fight this together. It's a scary thing but you will come out of this! Stay strong and don't give up on yourself and your dreams no matter what! What I've noticed in my patients is that there is still sweetness to life after diagnoses, even if it has metastized. So keep your passions and strengths in your heart, you will prevail.

I read and reread this post trying to think of what to say and I'm just at a loss as I always am, but I don't think it's really about what what you say in these situations I think it's more about listening. But regardless of my lack of eloquence, I'm really sorry that you're going through this. I actually work on an Oncology floor so I see many people, young and old, going through the same battle... many of which have chosen different paths to fight this battle, whether its chemo, radiation, surgery, or nothing. My only words of wisdom that I have learned from the many different people I've encountered is don't let the cancer consume you. Do your research, learn about your options, find a support group of survivors/ people battling, and keep striving to achieve your goals even if you are achieving them much slower and it's much, much harder.I really hope that your fiance will be able to join you soon and you can fight this together. It's a scary thing but you will come out of this! Stay strong and don't give up on yourself and your dreams no matter what! What I've noticed in my patients is that there is still sweetness to life after diagnoses, even if it has metastized. So keep your passions and strengths in your heart, you will prevail.

The Moroccan consulate is quite lenient on women in comparison to men. All of the women I've seen on VJ interviewing in Morocco were approved so I'm under the impression most of the women who are petitioned for are approved as long as there isn't obvious fraud taking place on their behalf. It could even possibly be a good thing for you guys.

And what happens to the beneficiaries who are denied in the end, beneficiaries who you say will have to return home, who's to say they will actually leave? Who is going to force them to go home? This is setting up a new way for people to stay illegally. And why only people from VWP countries? Not very fair to the couples from other parts of the world.

Here are my two cents on red flags..
Let's separate two important things here - what a "red flag" is, and what it is not.
A red flag is a metaphor used for peculiarities in a particular case. By peculiarity I mean something that might make a USCIS adjudicator, or consular officer decide to look a little closer at the case. Since this is a K-1 thread, I'm only going to discuss marriage based cases. To understand why your case might stand out, it really pays to look at your case from an outsider's perspective, rather than seeing it from your own biased view. I do not mean to offend anyone by saying biased, but let's face it, we are all all biased towards our own case because that is the only case we are not seeing from an outsider's point of view. No matter what evidence you have, no immigration officer will ever feel what you feel. They can only see the facts as they are presented to them.
An immigration/consular officer's job is to make a subjective opinion, often in a very short amount of time, based on the facts presented before them. Marriage based cases differ from other cases in that they are not presented with firm evidence such as a birth certificate or DNA to show a family relationship. Rather, they are presented with a certain set of (somewhat relevant) facts and evidence on which to make the decision of whether a legitimate family relationship exists. These officers generally go through multiple cases on any given work day. Naturally, certain things will stand out more than others. That's the essence of what a "flag" is - something in your case stands out from the other cases in the pile.
What makes the flag red is when the peculiarity, the thing that stands out, actually makes your case either seem less probable, or, that the flag is in the form of a motive for why the person would potentially want to marry someone whom they do not love.
A red flag is not an automatic denial. No one can be denied a visa because of a red flag. A visa denial comes from a complete package of evidence and facts weighed up against one another. A red flag is not an immigration officer's bias against you or your spouse, it is not an attack so to speak against you. It is simply a fact that makes your case stand out, and in the eyes of the immigration officer, makes your case differ from the norm, thus prompting any experienced officer to take an extra look. Keep in mind also that what might be a red flag to a consular officer in Morocco, might not even be worth a second look to a consular officer in the Philippines. This is due to certain facts being common in one country, while it might be socially unacceptable in another.
Here are some common red flags:
1. A large age gap.
I see this one a lot, and there is a multitude of good reasons why immigration officers take a second look at some cases. This one also depends, as all other red flags, on the country and culture in question. A prime example: For example, a relationship where a 50 year old American male marries a 25 year old female from the Philippines. While the age difference is 25 years, most of these cases are approved, and I wouldn't even consider the age gap a red flag. However, if twisting it around and applying to another country, it makes a huge difference. A second scenario: A 50 year old American woman marries a 25 year old Moroccan man. This is absolutely a red flag, not because the consular officers are biased, but because it is simply very uncommon to see in Morocco.
2. Vast ethnic, religious or cultural differences.
Again, there is nothing illegal under US law about about interracial or inter-cultural marriage. It is socially acceptable in most places in the US, and for the most part, an interracial marriage will not be a red flag at all. However, to use an example: An American new-age hippie marries a practicing religious orthodox from a strictly religious culture. While completely legal, it raises questions as to the bona fide nature of the marriage because it is uncommon, maybe even socially unacceptable in the beneficiary's culture. So the consular officer's question will be "why is this person marrying someone who might actually get him/her disowned by their family?"
3. The beneficiary is from a high-fraud country.
This is guilt by association. Some consulates see a lot of attempted fraud. Some consulates see very little. If you are an immigration officer at a consulate where attempted fraud is a frequent occurrence, you will naturally be more suspicious.
4. The couple got engaged/married after a very short time of meeting.
It is uncommon in the US for couples to get married within weeks or even months of meeting one another. Why? Because marriage is a lifelong commitment, and two people generally aren't expected to know each other well enough to make a lifelong commitment after a very short time. In addition, it is easy for fraudsters and scammers to set up a fake marriage, but it is difficult to forge a scam to last a significant amount of time.
5. The couple have only met in person once, or on very limited occasions.
While the USCIS and State Dept are aware that online relationships are more common today than before, couples are still expected to have spent some time physically together before committing to a lifetime together. It is uncommon in the US to marry someone you have only met once, so the USCIS and State Dept views it as unlikely that an international couple would do the same. However, they are mindful that international travel can be difficult for some. The thing to keep in mind here is that you aren't trying to show then how hard it is to visit - you are trying to show that a bona fide marriage exists.
6. The beneficiary sends money to the petitioner.
I see plenty of people asking "should I show that I send my American husband/wife money?" - The answer is, only if you want the US State Dept. to believe that you are paying them for a green card. While it is normal to support your spouse here and there, this only looks good if you're helping out with shared expenses.
7. The beneficiary is in removal proceedings (for AOS cases).
A major red flag in an adjustment of status case is where the beneficiary is in removal proceedings, especially if the marriage itself happened after removal proceedings were initiated. The first thing on the USCIS' mind will be that the marriage is just a last ditch effort to stay in the country.
8. Substantial language barriers.
Very rarely will you be able to convince a USCIS or consular officer that you are in a bona fide relationship or marriage if you cannot communicate in a common language, be it English, Swahili or sign language. You are expected to be able to communicate with the person you are engaged or married to.
As I stated earlier. None of these alone are grounds for a denial, but the more individual red flags, the higher the burden of proof is. Also, these aren't "set" factors that will end your case up in some list, they are just factors that will make your case stand out from the norm. Certain factors, such as age difference, may be a huge red flag in some countries, but might not even stand out in others. To figure out of your case has any red flags, be honest and look at your case from an outsider's perspective - Is your case somehow abnormal? If you are the beneficiary, is your case abnormal in your country/culture? If you are the petitioner, would the average Joe look at your case and think "how did that happen?" Don't be biased and overly defensive about your case, because the best way to defend your marriage is to know what you're up against.

I would judge relationship by a pic....almost as bad as judging all relationships as what is normal and what is not.

If people want the father to be there for the birth, then practice safe sex until the immigrant is here with a green card.
There is a reason why the US rejects pregnancies as a reason to expedite. The choice to not practice safe sex does not constitute an emergency for the US to quickly reunite the couple.

So less complicated is what you want.A different opinion from yours is ignorant?
Adults can use condoms, the pill, etc. to prevent pregnancies. Adults should know that not using protection can result in pregnancies. When adults make the choice to engage in unprotected sex, they knowingly risk getting pregnant.
Accidents do happen. However, no one I know have ever accidentally had intercourse. Having sex is a choice with consequences.
Getting pregnant during the immigration process and then lamenting how the immigration process prevents the father from being there at birth is bupkis.

Having a child is a choice and most adults know how not to have a child at a time that is inappropriate. Because you choose to have a child while you are still separated is your decision and you could have waited if being together for the moment was really that important,. ( At least that is what adults should do )

How is that enforce people who must go home workin out when ther are 12,000,000 illegals in the US?
Deportation is not easy or cost effective.
Furthermore, people in the US are afforded due process which means everyone who is caught will fight in immigration court. Where would you like the tax money to pay for increase deportation come from?
Why can't you go visit him?
Knowing that it will take a year for him to immigrate, why did you choose to get pregnant?
Sorry for your separation, but you simply planned poorly.
You can't blame the US for your fiancé not be able to hold his baby when you knew it would take a year for him to immigrate and you choose to get pregnant and for you choosin to return to the US rather than be with him.

Language barrier isn't as stupid reason as you think it is.

Yes, you do seem confused. It's easy to say, with privilege, that in the US, people are breaking norms and getting married and divorced, and age is but a number, etc. But in much of the rest of the world, that is not the case. In many places, these sorts of things are sources of shame, embarrassment, these sorts of marriages are not acceptable. So when you find someone from a traditional place suddenly want to marry someone who in their own country would be completely unsuitable as a partner, and in fact the only thing going for the person is that they are a US Citizen, then you should begin to wonder.
It is easy for scammers to prey on USCs and other western folks who don't realize this. Thus a consul who sees someone from a very traditional place, who has led a traditional life, suddenly find a woman online to marry, and this relationships is completely untraditional, it raises some eyebrows. Of course, this can be overcome with good evidence, but the beneficiary needs to prove they are not in the relationship just for a Greencard.
Do some research on lonely hearts scams and you will become better informed.
Also, if you fill in your country and timeline, people could help you. Good luck.
Edi: It is not about YOU, the USC, it is about the beneficiary. Showing that you got your kids to write cards to a stranger just makes you look like easy pickings for a scammer.

Congrats! I met a young girl when I was in Marrakech who was serving in the Peace Corp. My husband and I sat beside her and her mother in the Jema el fna while eating. We talked a lot about how long the visa process was and the difficulties. One thing the young girl brought up was the difficulties she heard about girls who married there while in the Peace Corp had difficulties with getting past the income requirements ( your not in it for the money , that's for sure lol), so make sure if that's going to be an issue for you to find co-sponsors ! Love your story

EID Mubarak To Everyone

You can start whining again in 2 years when you do ROC.

It's such a huge part of building intimacy, you know? I mean it's what marriage is-being there for your partner through the good times and the bad and being there for them emotionally even if you can't actually do anything substantial to help them.
And your worries about worrying him when there's nothing he can do about it-well that's going to happen when he's in the states with you too. Job stress, family stress, health stress-it's not like he'd be able to magically take all those problems away if he were with you everyday. All a partner can do in many of those situation is playing the support role and that applies no matter how close or how far away he is.
You're a team now and I'm sure he wants to hear everything, both the good and the bad.
Hugs to you. Long-distance relationships are hard!

Just wanted to check in and give an update to how our life is going since my husbands arrival here in May. After such a long journey , he is doing great and adjusting to life here in Vermont amazingly! A few tips for those of you with a spouse coming , prepare ahead of time! I found out where the masjid was for him to attend, he made friends quickly with others from Morocco and is playing soccer on the weekends with them. In July we went and got his permit to drive, with help from a friend at the masjid to translate his written exam ( his english and driving is great but vocabulary is difficult in the test). Last week he received his drivers license, which is a big relief for me not to have to bring him everywhere lol!
I enrolled him in an english class (which is free for immigrants), for the first few months to give him something to do while I was working and to help with adjusting to his new surrounding.
He will begin his first job in the U.S tomorrow I feel its been a pretty smooth transition and we are both very happy to have the past behind us and now to focus on our future together!

Hello,
I am a long time lurker, first time poster. My fiance and I are going through the K1 Fiance Visa process, and I have my medical exam with Dr. Seiden coming up in a few weeks in Toronto, ON. I read a posting on here a few months ago about requesting a second copy of the medical exam but, of course, I can no longer find it. From my understanding, the medical exam results will still be valid so long as I apply for AOS within a year (yes, I am definitely thinking ahead). However, I seem to recall a couple of people mentioning that their results were misplaced and they had to have the full exam done all over again.
I realize that either way, I will be required to complete certain portions of the I-693 and have a Civil Surgeon certify the form, but I am wondering if it would be beneficial in any way to have a second copy of the medical exam that I can take with me? From what I can remember from the original posting on this topic, I believe a second copy would cost about $50 which I am thinking would be a lot cheaper than going for a full medical exam in the States.
Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!!!

We have trade schools and votech here and it's not weird to do a trade. it sounds like he worked for a certificate program where we don't require a similar certification in the US, though there are plenty of jobs that require a similar license or certification.
If he was unemployed for 6 years in Germany then it will be harder to find a job, I think, and its too bad he couldn't do another thing while there.
But if I were you I would focus on building on his experience, and working in retail seems a little off. Were you looking for front end jobs for him? I would try for stockrooms and jobs more similar to what he was trained in in Germany.
Have you also tried looking at small stores, applying in person, instead of just going for big box stores where you apply online?
Also make sure his resume looks good, and up to US standards. I might translate that degree differently, or describe it differently, because I think it looks a little weird and might be a turn off if that is the thing you are focusing on a lot. It screams foreign, if you know what I mean (and also screams German, with it being so long! lol, though I bet most don't realize that )

Congrats guys, both of you! That's awesome. There is another VJer here got faster approval in just 19 days.

You are proposing kidnapping your daughter.

Because Moroccans have abused their visas in the past more often than Turks have. It does sound like a girlfriend letter :"with the physical distance it will be much harder to see eachother."